Locals wary of mutated flu strain striking outside of the U.S.

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8/CNS) - The number of influenza cases and related fatalities skyrocketed in the San Diego region last week, pushing the "flu season" totals to levels far ahead of the same time last year, county health officials reported Wednesday.

According to the county Health and Human Services Agency, 2,227 new flu cases were confirmed by laboratory testing last week, raising this season's total to 3,873, well above the 599 reported at the same time last year.

It's the first time more than 1,000 influenza cases were seen in the county in a single week, and is about four times more than the week before, according to Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, the county deputy public health officer.

The HHSA's weekly "Influenza Watch" report noted that the jump coincided with an uptick of cases at long-term care facilities.

Six additional fatalities were reported last week, pushing the total number of deaths so far to 11. Last year at this time, the death toll was four.

The Center for Disease Control reported that a mutated strain, H3N2, makes the flu vaccine only 10 percent effective. Doctors first discovered the threat in Australia where the entire continent is fighting its worst flu season in years. Health officials stateside are concerned because the U.S. and Australia use the same vaccine.

Of the 11 deaths in San Diego, four were caused by the H3N2 strain and three of the four killed by the mutated strain were vaccinated.

In the 2014-15 flu season, which resulted in a recent high of 97 fatalities, there were around 600 cases and no fatalities at this point.

Most of the deaths this year have involved people over the age of 65, the HHSA reported.

"Influenza can be deadly, especially for the elderly and the very young," Thihalolipavan said. "The number of flu cases that were reported last week is the highest in a single week that we have seen in recent years."

Thihalolipavan urged San Diegans to get flu shots if they haven't already.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu shots annually for everyone at least 6 months old. Vaccination is more important for people with weakened immune systems, as well as those who are pregnant, elderly or live with or care for others at high risk.

Flu vaccines are available at doctors' offices and pharmacies. People without medical insurance can go to a county public health center to get vaccinated. A list of locations is available at www.sdiz.org or by calling 211.